Bernard Shanks

Bernard Duane Shanks (born April 4, 1940) is an American environmental scientist, educator, public administrator, outdoorsman, conservationist, and author. He has been an outspoken advocate for public lands preservation and natural resources regulation. The author of several nonfiction books on topics related to the American West, Shanks taught natural resources management at Utah State University, served as director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, sat on the boards of directors of The Wilderness Society and Defenders of Wildlife, and supervised regional research programs at the U.S. Geological Survey.

Early life and education Bern Shanks was born in El Paso, Illinois, to Arthur Shanks and Grace Shanks (née Arnold). After graduating high school, he worked as a fire lookout in Yellowstone National Park for 12 weeks, later crediting the solitary post as giving him "time to think about the environment". Shanks served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and worked as a smokejumper with the U.S. Forest Service in Alaska and Montana. According to environmental historian Jedediah Rogers, "once introduced to the West he became a real outdoors enthusiast".

Shanks later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Montana State University, thereafter going to work for the National Park Service (NPS) analyzing grazing licenses at Grand Teton National Park.

Career

Early career Shanks began his career teaching at Utah State University. At Utah State, he spoke extensively against the Sagebrush Rebellion, asserting that the movement was motivated by private interests and big business, and not a sense of patriotism as supporters claimed. Following a 1980 letter of complaint to the university president from some in the Sagebrush movement, Shanks departed Utah State.

Writing in Salmon Without Rivers: A History Of The Pacific Salmon Crisis, author Jim Lichatowich describes the department's budget issues as an excuse to force Shanks from office while the real impetus was political pressure exerted by the commercial fishing industry. Spokesman Review columnist Rich Landers, meanwhile, notes that WDFW's budget shortfall was similar to what sibling agencies in Oregon and Idaho experienced during the same time and was the result of issues that predated Shanks' arrival; he described the move against Shanks as "political tricks" originating in the office of the governor of Washington. Bob Oke, chairman of the state senate's natural resources committee and a Shanks supporter, called Shanks' resignation "a dark day, the lowest ebb of the department".

Later career After leaving the WDFW, Shanks worked for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), where he was charged with overseeing 11 state units in the USGS Cooperative Research Units Program. As of 2024, he is a member of the board of directors of the Resource Renewal Institute, which describes itself as advocating "for the conservation, preservation, and restoration of our public lands for current and future generations".

Personal life Shanks is married and has a son. He lives in the San Juan Islands.

Works Books

Journal articles